Switch-actuating mechanism



P. HOFFMAN SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed March 12, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 G me ms ATTORNEY Nov. 16 1926. 1,606,997

-P. HOFFMAN SWITCH ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed March 12, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2' INVENTOR ala? HIS ATTORNEY Patented "Nov. 16, 1926.

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fA'iIL fiOFFMANfoF in GRANGE; insurers, ASEiifiR 'i of itnfind nzfAiii oofii oit'L 4 TION, on NEW 520E125, i\T."Y., A

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's'wiiroii-AoTUArIN'G nptncati'di filed Mast 12,1926: sei-iai 116355431 58! This invention relates to improvements in switchactuating mechanism and especially" to improvements inv the means for-adjust:

ing thethrow of the switch points and for" V 5 imparting a straight linevmotion to the switch bar. r

The invention relates particularly to a switch stand finwhich the switch bar moves in a straight'line in efiecting the throwing of the switch points, and thereby provides more certainty and security of action. Theinvention also consists in a "construction which permits an adjustment of the throw p of one oftheswitch points with relation to the other without in any manner affecting-f facture and assemble.

Various other objects and advantages of the'invention will be'obv-ious from the fol lowing particular description of one form of mechanism embodying my invention or from am inspection of the accompanyingdrawings; also the invention consists in certain" new and novel features of construction and V combinations of parts hereinafter set forth and claimed;

In the'accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is'a front elevation of the switch stand with the lower portion of the outer casing broken away to show the operating parts therein;

Fig.2 is-a view looking downwardly on the base portion from line 2- 2 of'Fig." 1;

F ig.'3 is a side elevation of the upper por: tion ofth'eswitch stand; I Fig. 4 is aside elevation of the switch stand mounted on extensions of the track ties; and v I Fig; 5 is a detail'of portion of the ad justing inechanism'f r The drawingswhich form art'ef this specification show the usual" switch stand features of a casing' A, target B handle C;

crank shaft D and crank E, thewhole being mounted onany suitable supports su'chas extensions of the-track ties which 'carryth e" track rails and switch points: 7

Adjusting mechanism for the switch points isen'closed within the base 'Fof' casing A,- where it is-protected' from injury by?" accident or bythe'" elements, and yet; is

readily" accessible 'by removal" of" covers G.

The 'lowered'ge's' ofthe end walls 10 of base F are provided with 'opposi'tely'di spdsed notches 11 and 12 which extend upwardljyl suiiiciently to; permit a switchbar to slide therethrough ever" ipe rollers 13journa11edi in the side walls 0 the baseF.

The bar 14 is preferably forme'clas" a long and 'narrow'member" of dimensions sufficient to give it necessarystr-ength andrigidity and yet to permit j a free 'slijding movement through the wall notches 11 and 12'; L

Projecting upwardly from the upper sure"- fa'ce of the bar and intermediate the ends c thereof are two lugs 15-andI16 similar-in constructionr As shown," theflug 15*is formed of'two pieces of angle iron placedba'ck to back and providing a base portion fitting in a depression 18 formeclin'theupper surface of bar 14. Plate 17' is attached" to" 14' by rivets or by' any other Suitable' attacH- ing means: Similarly, lugldis secured to plate 19 which is'fitted in a depression 20" in bar 14 and'secured thereto "byi riv-etsa Each oflugs 15 and 16*may; however; be

formed as an integral member or many other desired-maiinery-andbe secured to bar 14 in any gral therewith. 1

Lug 15has a smooth opening therethrongh to receive a threaded spacing rod' mer'nhe'r 21'; and similarly lug '16 has a smooth jopen' in'g to receive threaded spacing rod 22.-

Thesespacing rods'21 and 22 are similar 3;

in constructiomfformed with head port as 23 and 24 respectively,having'ifiat smeoth suitable manner or may be 'inte eng'age "alternately with the" crank vidi'ng an extensive cdntactsurface for crank E.-'-

As shown in eaten in Fig. 5 the head has lugs 29 pro ecting from one si e-edge;

to straddle the switch bar 14. The portion of the heads edge between lugs 29 slides along the upper surface of the bar lat while the lugs 29 are so spaced that their inner surfaces will slidingly engage the edges of the bar 14 when the rod 21' is moved through the lug 15 to changethe adjustment of the head 23. The spacing rod 21 is held securely in adjusted position by means of lock nuts 31 and 32 which may be tightened upto engage opposite sldes of lugs 15 and 16.

In operation, the switch points are thrown by moving the crank E1 from one extreme up against the adjoining rail.

When it is desired to throw the switch, so that the, second of the two switch points engages its adjoining rail, the handle G is rotated to move crank E in its semi-circular path shown by the arrow in Fig. 2. It will benoted' in reference tohig. 2, that the crank E Wlll move a certain distance before it strikes the face of the head 24, which has an adjustable connection with slide bar 1e,

similar to the above described adjustable connection of head 23 with slide barlt.

The crank E continues in contact with the face of head 24:, until it reaches its other extreme position shown at 33 in Fig. 2, when the switch bar mechanism as a whole will have moved toward the right the desired distance to cause the second switch point to lit up against its adjoining rail.

By means of this construction, accurate and quick and easy adjustment of head 24: by bolt 22 and lock nuts 31 and 32, can be effected as above described'in connection with the adjustment of head 28 by bolt 21 and lock nuts 31 and 32, And another important feature of this arrangement is that the adjustment of head 28 is entirely independent of and does not affect the adjustment of head 2%, so that either or both adjustments may be made at any time.

Also by my improved construction toggle action of other stands is eliminated and the movement of the switch points is efiected by a straight line movement of the slide bar lt through mechanism accessible yet protected withinthe switch stand casing.

While I have shown and described and have pointed out in the annexed claims certain novel features of the invention, it will i be understood that various omissions, subvpoints, an adjusting" mechanism for the switch points comprising a plurality of heads posltlon'ed to be engaged alternately by thecrank, each head beingindependently adjustable with relation to the switch bar,

and means for securing each of said heads in adjusted position, said means comprising a plate secured to said bar, a'lug mounted on said plate, an adjustable spacing rod supported by said lug, and secured to said head.

2. The combinationwith a switch stand, having a rotatable spindle providedwith a crank, of a switch bar secured to the switch points, an adjusting mechanismv for the switch points comprising a plurality of heads positioned to engage alternately with the crank, adjustable with relation to the switch bar, and means for securing each of said heads in adjusted position, said means comprising a spacing rod adjustably supported on said bar, and secured to said head. v

SLThe combination with a switch stand each head being independently having a rotatable spindle provided with a crank, of a switch bar secured to the switch points, an adjusting mechanism for the said bar, and means for securing said head in adjusted position.

4. The combination with aswitch stand having rotatable spindle provided with a crank, of a switch bar secured to the switch points, an adjusting mechanism for the switch points comprising a spacing rod and a head carried by said rod.

5. The combination with a switch stand, having a rotatable spindle provided with a crank, of a switch bar secured to the switch points, an adjusting mechanism for the switch points, comprising a spacing rod maintained at all times in substantially par allel relation to said bar, and means on said rod engaged by the crank.

6. The combintion with a switch stand,of a slide bar movable in a straight line direction, means on the switch stand including a crank for imparting such straight line movement to said bar, a spacing rod and adjusting means connected with the spacing v points, an adjusting mechanism for the switch points, comprising a plate secured to said bar, a lug rigidly mounted on said plate, a spacing rod supported by said lug and ahead carried by said rod.

9. The combination withv a switch stand, having a rotatable spindle provided with a crank, of a switch bar secured'to the switch points, an adjusting mechanism for the switch points, comprising an adjustable head engageable by said, crank and means for securing said head in adjusted position.

10. The combination with a switch stand,

having a rotatable spindle provided with a crank, of a switch bar secured to the switch points, .an adjusting mechanism for the switch points comprising an adjustable head engageable by said crank and slidable on said bar and means for securing said head in adjusted position.- v

11. The combination with a switch stand, of a slide bar movable in a straightline direction, means on the switch stand including a crank for imparting such straight line movement to said bar, a'spacing rod and adjusting means connected with the spacing rod, comprlsmg-a head memberengageable by said crank and carried by SfllCliI'Od and slidable on said bar.

12. The combination with a switch stand, of a slide bar movable in a straight line vdirection, means on the switch stand includ- 'ing a crank for impartingsuch straight line movement to said bar, a spacing rod and adusting means connected with the spacing rod, comprising a head member ad ustably supported by said spacing rod and slidable on said bar.

13. The combination with a switch stand, ofa slide bar movable in a straightline direction, means on the switch stand including-acrank for imparting such straight line movement to said bar, a pluralityof spacing rods and adjusting means connected with said spacing rods, comprising a plurality of head members to be alternately engaged by,

said crank and carried by said rods and adjustable on said bar. 7 c

14. The combination with a switch stand, of a slide bar movable in a straight line direction, means on the switch stand including a crank for imparting such straight line movement to said bar, a plurality of spacing rods and adjusting means connected with said spacing rods, comprising a plurality of head members supported by said rods and adjustable on said bar.

15. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a bar rigidly secured to the switch points, a plurality of spaced plates secured to the bar, each having a projecting lug, a spacing bolt adjustable in each lug, a head carried on each of said bolts and means between said heads adapted to engage them alternately to reciprocate said bar. 7

i 16. A switch actuating mechanism comprising a bar connected to the switch points, a plurality of spaced lugs secured to said bar, a spacing bolt adjustable in each lug, a head carried on each of said bolts, and a crank between said heads adapted to engage them alternately to reciprocate said bar.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

PAUL HOFFMAN. 

